Extreme rain, heat, and sand are all obstacles faced by a photographer. Each is a unique challenge, and we have faced them all on this journey across the border.
Today’s challenge was an unexpected storm that caught us north of Tubac, pounding us with hail and soaking my camera gear in a matter of seconds. Our car was one among many huddled near an overpass trying to stay out of the way of the hurling balls of ice. This lasted far longer than I ever thought was possible.
Mainly what I do as a photojournalist is wait: I wait for the image to come to life – for people and their actions – to tell the viewers a little bit about the people we meet or the town we are in. As it started pouring, I jumped out of the car and my shoes quickly filled with water. Not only was I sopping wet, but, I couldn’t see through my camera viewfinder.
The heavens unleash their chilly fury near Tubac. Photo by Lindsay Miller.
Shooting photographs became a combination of trying to keep my camera dry, as well as the usual difficulty: waiting for the right combination of things to capture what was happening at that moment.
It took several jaunts back to the car to get warm and to dry off my camera.
Today the rain presented the new dynamic of cold; while drenched in today’s storm I felt cold for the first time on our journey. Ever since our departure last Tuesday afternoon my camera has had to deal with extreme heat, which is harder on the photographer than on the camera. One cannot always stay out of the direct sun when composing a good picture – finding the moment when it all comes together. Most of this trip I have found that while just standing in the 110 degree heat is hard, waiting for the right people and right actions sometimes seems next to impossible. Even with a camel-back full of water I would become quickly dehydrated.
For me, the challenges each situation presents are an important, yet enjoyable part of the job. While traveling the border one quickly sees how each day is different here, each day a new challenge.
Facing extreme weather and meeting extreme people every step of the way.
This is not the border I imagined. Being a photojournalist means adapting quickly to any situation and reacting in the moment – whatever comes your way, all of it done to capture the story in a photograph.
In a very limited space, you all are painting such vivid pictures of what you’re seeing. I think we can all agree with that, even if some disagree with the message at times. Am I correct in thinking that most of what you write & photograph ends up “on the cutting room floor,” as the saying goes? Have you considered, are you considering putting together a book so that text & those pictures can be brought to life, also? I’d buy one!
— Carolyn 07/26/2006 06:50 AM #
tell me about sasabe.
My wife and I went there many years ago and it was small village, we went back recently and i would not recognise it. the people, the litter, degradation.
i wanted to revisit a village called Sari, (which i visited 40 years ago and wanted to see if it had changed)(they had nothing then, yet they gave us tortillas)its about 30 miles in, but they would not let us. so we returned to the usa.we lkive in ireland, yet visit tucson very regularly.
— terry Cawley 07/26/2006 02:54 PM #
great article, keep up the good work, i really enjoy reading about your adventure
— art maynes 07/31/2006 09:48 AM #
Wonderful writing Ms. Miller. You paint a picture with your words as wll as your photography. It is very interesting to learn that a photographer’s job entails so much more than snapping pictures. Sounds like a very humbling experience indeed, shooting in torrential rain, trying to capture the essence of your surroundings. Good job!
— Randi O. 07/31/2006 07:48 PM #
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In July, a team of Arizona Daily Star journalists traveled from San Diego to Brownsville for a close-up look at what it would take to secure the border. They used this blog to chronicle their experiences and will present a 4-day series of their findings beginning Sunday, Sept. 24.
Current Location:The journey is over. Stay tuned for our special report on the border beginning September 24.
Meet the Team
James Gregg recently joined the staff of the Arizona Daily Star as a
photojournalist after beginning his career in Colorado. James has lived abroad in Ecuador and Costa Rica, and holds a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas.
Stephanie Innes is the faith and values reporter for the Star. She has worked at the newspaper since 1999 and previously covered crime. She has also been a reporter for the Tucson Citizen and for the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff.
Border and Immigration reporter Brady McCombs has been with the Star since February. He recently co-authored the Star's four-part investigative series, "Illegal Labor Fix Falls Short." McCombs, who is bilingual, spent three years working in Costa Rica.
Photographer Lindsay Miller joined the Arizona Daily Star in April 2005, relocating toTucson after working at the Napa Valley Register. She has worked on several documentary projects as well as a variety of local news and features..
Online producer Andrew Satter has been with the Star for more than two years. He oversees online news content relating to the border and politics/elections, has produced dozens of videos and audio slide shows and is a co-creator of the award-winning Border Death Database.
Reader Polls
Week 3 Results
Question: Which border state has the most out-of-control border?
- California - 9%
- Arizona - 53%
- New Mexico - 10%
- Texas - 7%
- Minnesota - 21%
Total number of votes - 68
Week 2 Results
Question: What is the top reason the U.S. needs to secure its borders?
- Stop illegal immigrants from coming into the country - 48%
- Crack down on drug smuggling - 14%
- Stop terrorists from being able to get in - 28%
- An open border poses no immediate threat - 9%
- Protect against human sex slave trafficking - 1%
Total number of votes - 79
Week 1 Results
Question: What should be the first priority in solving the illegal immigration problem?
- Secure the border - 48%
- Workplace enforcement - 21%
- Visa enforcement - 3%
- Institute a guest worker program - 17%
- Take care of non-border-related issues first - 11%
Total number of votes - 150
Border gallery
What does the word 'border' mean to you? Be it the U.S./Mexico border, the Brazilian/Argentinian border or the border between you and your neighbor's house, we want to see your images of this ill-defined concept in our gallery. In the Photo Caption field please tell us the subject of the photo. Submit your photo »»
James Gregg recently joined the staff of the Arizona Daily Star as a
photojournalist after beginning his career in Colorado. James has lived abroad in Ecuador and Costa Rica, and holds a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies from the University of Kansas.
Stephanie Innes is the faith and values reporter for the Star. She has worked at the newspaper since 1999 and previously covered crime. She has also been a reporter for the Tucson Citizen and for the Arizona Daily Sun in Flagstaff.
Border and Immigration reporter Brady McCombs has been with the Star since February. He recently co-authored the Star's four-part investigative series, "Illegal Labor Fix Falls Short." McCombs, who is bilingual, spent three years working in Costa Rica.
Photographer Lindsay Miller joined the Arizona Daily Star in April 2005, relocating toTucson after working at the Napa Valley Register. She has worked on several documentary projects as well as a variety of local news and features..
Online producer Andrew Satter has been with the Star for more than two years. He oversees online news content relating to the border and politics/elections, has produced dozens of videos and audio slide shows and is a co-creator of the award-winning Border Death Database.
— Carolyn 07/26/2006 06:50 AM #
My wife and I went there many years ago and it was small village, we went back recently and i would not recognise it. the people, the litter, degradation.
i wanted to revisit a village called Sari, (which i visited 40 years ago and wanted to see if it had changed)(they had nothing then, yet they gave us tortillas)its about 30 miles in, but they would not let us. so we returned to the usa.we lkive in ireland, yet visit tucson very regularly.
— terry Cawley 07/26/2006 02:54 PM #
— art maynes 07/31/2006 09:48 AM #
— Randi O. 07/31/2006 07:48 PM #
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PP, mvoctagon, mdld, janus krewe, 685507, unix shared memory example, 722072, cenelec, smso, university population statistics, 6217, mute records can, nsormf, peter graves florist, =[[[, petite pram cedarhurst, bffaaf, box camo tool truck, 8-O, roms emus, 020, unix chown example, 53504, roman patrician, :)), center drum guitar, izt, box craft dog, 368, cendant stock price, ttwfx, mw560ci driver download, 363081, fort bragg soldiers, :-P, format level low maxtor, zmjfek, mustang gt convertible accessory, :-PPP, japan travel yakutsk airport flight schedule, 584065, journal of american study, 907471, center engineering nasa safety, vygzht, forrest recruitment liverpool, 586957, romantica bridal gown, 871, unlock motorola cell phone, 62284, create send survey, 8233, center distribution ross, 17439, my beer belly, dhkj, my best friends girlfriend lyrics, yyi, create your own stuff, :P, january sales in uk, 949015, creative black book, 798341, university of washington wallpaper, lrw, box commercial x, 005870, center for cosmetic dentistry san francisco, 8], mwp mcintosh, pkisj, peterborough islanders, %)), center crossroads treatment, 047, create web site software, %[[,— Niamh 06/27/2008 04:51 PM #